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The Business School Broadcast - 5th January 2018

In this week’s business school broadcast we find out why top US business schools are now teaching ‘bro’ culture, discover why soccer star Vincent Kompany decided to study an MBA while still playing and look at the new ethical questions that artificial intelligence (AI) is provoking at higher education institutions across the world.

Business schools now teaching #MeToo, N.F.L. protests and Trump

A recent piece in the New York Times states that, “An MBA education is no longer just about finance, marketing, accounting and economics. As topics like sexual harassment dominate the national conversation and chief executives weigh in on the ethical and social issues of the day, business schools around the country are hastily reshaping their curriculums with case studies ripped straight from the headlines.”

It goes on to discuss that, “At Vanderbilt, there are classes on Uber and “bro” culture. At Stanford, students are studying sexual harassment in the workplace. And at Harvard, the debate encompasses sexism and free speech.”

Premier League club captain graduates with degree from Alliance Manchester Business School

Vincent studied Alliance Manchester Business School’s part-time Global MBA, which is made up of core business and management courses, specialist electives and two practical business projects. He was awarded a merit grade and achieved a distinction with a score of 72 on his dissertation project, which looked at how professional football clubs in the Premier League can benefit from home game advantage and achieve game-changing levels of improvement.

Commenting on his achievement, Vincent said: “I’ve always felt education is very important and this was instilled into me by my late mother from an early age. It felt like a fitting tribute to my mother to pursue my academic career by studying an MBA. The programme at Alliance Manchester Business School was the ideal option for me.”

Hey, bargain-hunters: an MBA is cheaper than you think

An article published this week in The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) highlights how top business schools are increasing their scholarship and financial aid budgets in an attempt to temp young professionals out of the strengthening job market and into their MBA programs.

It discusses how according to data from the Graduate Management Admission Council, some 61% of this year’s students are receiving scholarships based on merit, financial need, or a combination of the two, up from 41% in 2014.

AI causes new challenges for research ethics at universities

The acceleration of knowledge and the emergence of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), has provoked new ethical questions and requires universities to approach research ethics differently, says Professor Sylvie Pommier, Director of Doctoral Research at Université Paris-Saclay.

As a response, the university officially created the Université Paris-Saclay Research Ethics and Scientific Integrity Council (POLETHIS) last month.

“International, world-class universities have a responsibility to train and advise researchers on projects that have an impact on people,” says Pommier. “In some areas, especially in technology, there have been advancements that impact society differently and we must adapt our advice to protect scientific integrity.”

Under this initiative, the Université Paris-Saclay Ethics Assessment Committee will be available to give advisory ethics opinions on research protocols involving human subjects to any researchers at the university.

The council will also carry out its own research into ethics. It will be chaired by Emmanuel Hirsch, medical ethics professor at Université Paris-Sud, a founding member of Université Paris-Saclay.

Miami University business school names new dean

Rubin, a professor of accountancy, has served as interim dean of the school since last summer and will be given a two-year appointment to the position pending approval from the university’s board of trustees in February.

“Marc’s priorities are clear,” provost Phyllis Callahan said in a statement. “He will work collaboratively with faculty, students, alumni and other stakeholders, enhancing the Farmer School’s transformation through programs such as the First-Year Integrated Core curriculum. He will promote interdisciplinary experiential programs such as the Center for Analytics & Data Science and the Center for Business Leadership, and nurture relationships with partners on and off campus.”

Miller Hall wing at Mason School of Business named for MBA graduate

The graduate wing of Alan B. Miller Hall at Mason School of Business is now officially the Edward T. Tokar Graduate Wing.

The designation recognizes a historic gift to William & Mary's Raymond A. Mason School of Business from Tokar, MBA '71, to enhance and sustain the MBA program. It is the largest gift to the program from an MBA graduate.

"I am eternally indebted to William & Mary for the wonderful opportunities and experiences" Tokar said. "My MBA had a significant impact on a business career that endures to this day. The 50th Anniversary celebration of the MBA program was a milestone that deserved special tribute."

Phil is the editor of TopMBA.com and has a breadth of editorial and digital marketing experience. He has worked across a variety of industries from e-commerce and commercial real estate to managing all content for a C-suite careers site aimed at UK and US professionals.